Sponge caulk finisher (SCF)

ABSTRACT

The SCF in its design and function provides the user with the ability to efficiently achieve an attractive and functional finish when caulking. The SCF&#39;s ability to be used to clean, paint trim, and sand add to its value of ownership.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Associated fields: Paint preparation, caulking, home improvement,construction, remodeling, cleaning, painting, sanding.

We believe the SCF is a great tool for finishing caulk and is animprovement over any existing caulk finishing tool because it provides away for the user to maintain consistent control of the caulk and worksmore efficiently than any existing technology. Caulking has been atedious and time-consuming process because it is difficult to work withcaulk without making a mess. Caulk gets on clothes, skin, hair, andsurfaces we don't want it to be on. Our goal in designing the SCF is toprovide the user with the most efficient way to get a great looking andfunctional caulking finish. The tool has other uses that will increaseits value to the user such as cleaning, trim painting, and sanding.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The Sponge Caulk Finisher (SCF) is designed to provide the user a way toefficiently finish caulk applied to surfaces such as doors, windows,shower walls, trim, etc. The SCF can also be used as a cleaning tool forhousehold, industrial, and commercial applications and is especiallyeffective at cleaning corner surfaces. Attachments are also designed toallow the SCF to be used as a trim painting tool or a corner sander.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1—Depicts the tool handle and neck. (Enhanced view on separate pageattached.)

FIG. 2—Depicts the tool handle extension. (Enhanced view on separatepage attached.)

FIG. 3—Depicts the squeezer. (Enhanced view on separate page attached.)

FIG. 4—Depicts the tool handle with the tool head. This drawing showsthe different profiles of the tool head. (Enhanced view on separate pageattached.)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The SCF consists of a straight plastic handle approximately 6 inches inlength, from the handle a neck extends at approximately 25 degrees for2.7 inches to the head of the tool. The angle of the neck allows theuser to place the sponge in position to make contact with the corner oredge being worked on while holding the handle. The head of the tool isabout two inches long, two inches wide and is in the shape of a wedge tofit neatly into corners. The head is also made of plastic and is coveredwith Velcro to allow the felt backed sponge to be attached to the head.We have designed an extension for the handle that makes it about 14inches long. The extension is attached with 2 standard bolts and nutsand two plastic plates through holes in the handle. The drawings containmore exact measurements for each of the features.

The sponge, cut to match and be attached to the tool head, is used bybeing pressed to the work surface where it absorbs the excess caulk. Theuser then slides the sponge along the work surface and the caulking isneatly finished. Once a build up of caulk is achieved, the user thendips the sponge into a bucket of water to remove the caulk gathered. Tosqueeze the excess water from the sponge after cleaning, we havedesigned a squeezing device that is placed over the edge of the bucketwith brackets at the bottom of the squeezer. The user places the toolhead into the squeezer, which is designed to fit the tool head, andpushes on the squeezer handle. The excess water is squeezed from thesponge and the user can continue finishing the caulking project.

Our first attachment is for trim painting. This attachment is applied tothe tool head the same way as the sponge, however, only one side of thetool head wedge is used and a guard is positioned over the middle of thetool head to prevent paint from getting on the trim. The trim paintingattachment is made of plastic and is backed by felt to attach to thetool head the same as the sponge. It has a foam face instead of spongeto allow the user to apply the paint.

The second attachment is the corner sander. This consists of a sandpaperface with a felt back to attach to the tool head. The wedge design ofthe tool head allows the user to press the sandpaper into corners whileholding the tool handle.

1. We herein claim a caulk application and finishing system and generalcleaning system comprised of: a tool designed with a handle extending toan angled neck that allows the head of the tool to provide a properangular projection to penetrate gaps and corners; and an extension ofthe tool handle that permits extended reach; and a felt and Velcroattachment system that permits changing or replacement of the materialapplied to the tool head; and a squeezing device to remove excess wateror other substance from the tool head.
 2. The application, finishing,and cleaning tool of claim 1, further comprising separate tool headattachments using the elements of angular projection and felt and Velcroattachment system contained in claim 1 to accomplish tasks of trimpainting and sanding.